Designed for Submission (Devine Designs) (11 page)

''Oh God,'' Nancy gushed, fanning herself with the envelope where she had replaced the invitation.  ''How exciting is this? I can't believe they want just the two of us for another project.  What do you think it is?''

Elizabeth slipped the invitation into her purse before answering.  ''I have no idea,'' she admitted.  ''And why is it so secret that Garrett … I mean, Mr. Foster, couldn't tell us about it?''

''I don't know, but promise me you'll at least think about doing it if they offer it to us,'' she said, knowing that she wouldn't enjoy doing the project without her best friend.

''I don't think it will be a problem,'' Elizabeth said.  ''I have no intention of giving up any projects until I have the financing set up.  I certainly can't afford to turn down any jobs right now.''

Nancy stood and grabbed her purse for an afternoon coffee run.  She was smiling as she stood with one hand on the doorknob.  ''Am I picking up on your possible interest in Garrett as more than a business friend?'' she asked.

When Elizabeth looked up from her desk, she looked surprised.  ''Garrett?'' she said, as if the name was unfamiliar.

''Yes, Liz,'' Nancy said, rolling her eyes—something she never did in her husband's presence, for fear of her own bottom.  ''You know, the very handsome, very rich, and very, very sexy man that was just sitting on our couch? The one you said you would be happy to … let me see … sit at his feet and soak in any ideas he might have about a project whose details you've slaved over for years?  Yes, Garrett.''

Elizabeth looked surprised, her face flushed.  She had not honestly given a single thought to Garrett as a possible partner.  She saw the face in her dreams, flashing across her mind, but could not admit her intense, senseless attraction to some mystery man.  Nancy was still at the door, watching her closely.

''No,'' Elizabeth said, shaking her head.  ''I admire him greatly and do appreciate his experience, but no, I hadn't even thought of him in that way.  Besides, didn't you say he was involved with another Sub? I mean, he was flogging her, right?''

Nancy shook her head.  Her best friend could be
so
obtuse at times.  ''Honey, just because he was participating in a demo does not mean he is a one-Sub Dom.  Heck, there was another, very fine, gentleman that did the next demo.  Perhaps they were just asked to demonstrate their abilities at the club.  I think Garrett might be thinking about discovering whether you, proper Miss Adams, like to play as well.''

Elizabeth smiled.  ''It's nice of you to think I'm so enticing, but girlfriend, other than business, I do not feel the attraction,'' Elizabeth said.  ''Now, stop probing and go get coffee.''

Nancy shrugged her shoulders and left thinking that, perhaps, the lady doth protest too much.

Wednesday evening found Elizabeth both excited and frustrated.  Her meeting with the bankers had gone well, but she hadn't received all she needed.  The property she had tentatively decided upon had recently gone under contract.  Though the sale was pending, there was still a faint hope it might fall through and become available again.  The bank was willing to give her a loan, however, since Elizabeth was the only applicant on the forms and had admitted she intended to cut back on outside projects in order to focus on getting the place up and running quickly, the banker had insisted she come up with an additional five percent as a down payment, regardless of what location she might purchase.  Even with her savings, she would still be short a few thousand dollars after emptying out her own accounts.  As she ran the figures through her head again, she knew she might have to continue accepting larger projects to work on with Nancy for a few additional months, or else find additional financing.  Nancy had assured her that she would be content to handle only smaller projects or, if necessary, hire temporary help while Liz worked on her dream.  They had decided to play it by ear and not make any decisions until they knew more about what would be required.

Friday evening came quickly.  She dressed with care in a light violet-colored dress that had tiny white polka dots covering the fabric.  She cinched a purple belt around her waist, put her hair back with a clip and slipped her feet into deep purple heels with thin straps fastened around her ankles.  She hurried to answer the door, to find Jason outside.

''You look beautiful,'' he said, as he took her arm.  She thought he looked fantastic in his black suit, white shirt and a very colorful tie.  He helped Liz into the car, and Nancy, lovely in a green dress, blonde curls framing her face, turned to smile at her.

''I'm so excited,'' Nancy said.  ''I'm afraid I won't be able to eat a bite.''

When Jason snorted, she reached out and slapped his arm.  ''Sorry, honey,'' he said, ''I just can't imagine you sitting at a table full of food and not eating.'' Nancy sighed, knowing he knew her very well.

They drove through the tree-lined streets of River Oaks, passing huge, elegant homes that were more estates than residences.  Jason pulled into the driveway of the largest one and whistled.  ''Maybe I'm in the wrong business,'' he said, as he escorted the women to the door.  Nancy kissed his cheek and assured him that he was in a perfect business as far as she was concerned.  He ran a successful accounting firm and managed his money very well.

The door opened, and Benjamin ushered them into the foyer.  ''Welcome,'' he said, with a smile, pressing a kiss upon Nancy's cheek and then Elizabeth's.  ''I can't tell you how much Helen and I appreciate your coming.''

His wife stepped from behind him, and she was soon hugging the women.  ''It is wonderful to see you again,'' she said, and any nerves Elizabeth had felt, disappeared.  The couple had always seemed friendly and approachable, even when they first met months ago to discuss the remodeling of their home.  Tonight, they seemed more like friends than host and hostess.  Jason was welcomed as well, and congratulations given to the young couple on their recent marriage.

They were led into a room that another team member had done, and Jason commented on how beautiful it was.  Helen asked what they'd like to drink and brought their glasses of wine to them, after serving her husband first.  As they chatted and sipped their wine, the doorbell rang.  Elizabeth and Nancy were standing in front of the large fireplace, their backs to the room, as they talked to Helen.

They saw her eyes light as she smiled.  ''There are my darling boys,'' Helen said, rushing around the girls.  The two friends turned to see who entered the room.  It was Garrett, a smile on his face that showed his genuine pleasure.  Then she realized that Helen was being embraced by another man, who kissed her cheek and then released her, straightening to his full height.

Elizabeth felt her entire world tilt.  She was unaware of her gasp, which had caused Nancy not only to turn towards her but to quickly grab the glass that was slipping out of her hand.

Nancy saw the color draining from her friend's face.  ''Liz, what's wrong?'' Nancy said, looking to see Jason moving to them.  Elizabeth didn't answer, her eyes glued to the foyer.

''Liz … Elizabeth—look at me,'' Jason said, moving in front of her and taking her hands in his.  The contact seemed to free her, and her eyes rose to meet his.  Her color returned in a rush, her entire body seeming to flush.

''I'm … I'm fine,'' she said, and flushed even more.  Benjamin seemed to understand that something was not right with his guests.  He began to walk towards the fireplace, his face showing his concern.  ''Oh, God,'' Elizabeth said, and closed her eyes for a moment.  She forced herself to collect her emotions, before she embarrassed her host.

''Miss Adams, are you okay?'' Benjamin asked, as he reached them.

She nodded and forced a smile.  Realizing that Jason was still holding her arms, she lifted her hand.  ''I should have eaten lunch before drinking,'' she said. Nancy was looking at her like she was an idiot; the two had eaten lunch together, however, her friend said nothing and simply nodded.  ''I'm fine, I promise.  Please, forgive me,'' Elizabeth said.  Jason slowly released her, as if uncertain she could stand on her own.  Benjamin looked skeptical but finally nodded.  However, when Elizabeth attempted to retrieve her glass from Nancy, he plucked it from her.

''Forgive me for insisting,'' he said, as he put the glass on a table by the fireplace, ''I think you should eat something first, my dear.''

She flushed again, feeling like a fool, but nodded.  ''Yes, Sir, I think that's a good idea,'' she said.  He nodded in return and left them, returning to his wife's side to tell her that dinner should be served immediately.

As Helen listened, she looked towards Elizabeth, her own concern on her face.  ''Certainly,'' she said.  ''I'll ask Joan to begin service.''

As Benjamin spoke with the two men that had entered, Nancy turned back.  ''Jason, isn't that the…'' Nancy started, only to be interrupted.

''Not now, Nancy,'' Jason said sternly.  Nancy gaped at him, her eyes flashing.

''What do you mean, not now,'' she hissed.  ''Look at Liz, she looks like she is going to pass out and she ate like a pig at lunch.  I want to know why seeing him …''

Jason placed a hand on his wife's arm.  ''Nancy, calm down,'' he said.  She rolled her eyes at him, about to speak again.  ''I'm not asking,'' he warned. ''Now, take a breath and let me handle this, before I need to ask directions to the nearest bathroom so I can blister your butt.''

She took a deep breath and nodded.  ''Yes, Sir,'' she managed to say softly, knowing he would do exactly as he said.

Garrett became aware of something out of place, as he looked deeper into the room.  ''Excuse me, Ben,'' he said, ''I need to say hello.'' Benjamin nodded and watched as the man he loved like a son walked towards the young women.

Jason kept his arm around his wife's waist as he approached.  While he had not officially met the man before, he knew who he was.

''I'm Garrett Foster," he said, shaking hands with Jason.  ''It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Spellman.''

Jason nodded.  ''It's Jason.  I've heard a great deal about you, Garrett,'' he said.  ''Both my wife and Elizabeth speak very highly of you.''

Garrett smiled and turned to the women.  ''Good evening, Nancy, Miss Adams,'' he said, with a smile.  ''Excuse me if I'm intruding, but is everything all right?''

Elizabeth was tremendously embarrassed by being the cause of all this drama.  Even Nancy seemed about to explode, and Jason was acting a bit strange.  She smiled and nodded.  ''Everything is just fine, Sir,'' she said.  Nancy nodded as well, though she was still sneaking glances at Elizabeth and her husband.  Garrett was about to speak again, when Helen reappeared and announced that dinner was being served.  Garrett watched as Jason stepped forward, guiding Nancy with his open palm on her lower back.  He turned to Elizabeth and smiled.

''May I escort you, Miss Adams?'' he asked, and she blushed but nodded, placing her arm through his.  He noticed she kept her eyes down before seeming to remember where she was and lifting her head.  Garrett smiled.  Every moment that he had more than a casual, office-related contact with her told his every instinct that she was a submissive woman.

Elizabeth tried not to react when she was guided past the other man who was holding a chair out for Helen.  Garrett led Elizabeth around the table and released her arm, to pull out her own chair.  She sank gratefully into it, not noticing when he slid into the chair beside her.  She watched as Helen lifted her hand to pat the cheek of the man who smiled and then straightened.

''Oh, forgive me,'' Helen said.  ''I've forgotten my manners.  Logan, this is Miss Adams and Mrs. Spellman, the women who helped design the house.  Jason is Nancy's new husband.'' Logan nodded and walked around the table to shake Jason's hand.  ''Logan is our son,'' Helen continued.  ''Of course, we consider Garrett our son as well.  He and Logan have been friends since they were just little boys.''

Garrett smiled affectionately at the middle-age woman then turned to Elizabeth.  ''It's a pleasure to see you again, Miss Adams,'' Logan said, causing Garrett's eyebrow to rise.  ''I hope our encounter didn't keep you from enjoying your celebratory dinner the other night.'' The moment he said the words, Nancy understood Elizabeth's reaction, as well as Jason's.  She looked at Logan far more closely and then smiled softly.  Logan Dietrich was Elizabeth's Limo Man.

Chapter 9

''You'll have to explain that,'' Garrett said, as Logan slid into a chair on the other side of Elizabeth.  Nancy had to bite her tongue when she saw Elizabeth's face grow even more scarlet.  Jason wondered about the comment as well.

''It was nothing,'' Elizabeth said quickly, her eyes begging Nancy to rescue her.  Nancy had no idea how to help her friend.

Logan put his napkin in his lap and saw that Elizabeth looked embarrassed.  ''I didn't mean to embarrass you yet again, Miss Adams,'' Logan said.  ''It really was my fault.''

Elizabeth saw that his words were only making the matter worse.  ''I almost ran into Lo … um, Mr. Dietrich at the restaurant.  I wasn't looking where I was going.  I stepped back to apologize and ran into someone behind me and stumbled.  He was nice enough to catch me before I fell.  It was embarrassing, but certainly nothing to be concerned about,'' Elizabeth said in a rush that told everyone she had no desire to relive the experience.  Logan kept his eyes on her; her face flushed a very attractive shade of pink, her eyes bright but full of embarrassment.  He would much rather see them soft and full of arousal.

''Regardless, I do hope your dinner was a success,'' he said, as the service of the meal began.  Logan reached across Elizabeth and picked up the saltshaker, brushing his arm against hers.  He hesitated, his arm seeming to warm, though they barely had made contact.  He thought he heard her give a soft moan and looked at her, but she had her eyes down.

''Even Carol told me I was like a bull in a china shop,'' Logan said, and Garrett laughed.  Every man in the room was large and often had been told the same thing by one female or another.

Logan sat back as Garrett chuckled.  Elizabeth swallowed hard.  She now could put names to her fantasies.  She swallowed again, realizing that even not having met Carol, she felt a sense of jealousy—and then guilt—wondering if her encounter with Logan had caused Carol's comment, earning her the spanking Elizabeth had witnessed.  Shaking her head, knowing that it was extremely dangerous ground to think about, she forced herself to ignore both men as best she could.  She was a strong, professional woman and would make it through the dinner without embarrassing herself further—even if it killed her.